Blakes Adventures Around the Country

Denver is certainly cold in the winter. And it doesn’t help that it takes some time to get acclimated to the altitude. When I arrived, I felt fine; however, the day after, I was getting winded while walking up a flight of stairs consisting of 7 steps. It certainly took some getting used to.

Pepsi Center – I Think the Predators Are Following Me

I had such a good time at the Caps/Preds game that I decided, on a whim, to check to see if there was an Avalanche game during my stay. To my surprise, the Nashville Predators are visiting the Colorado Avalanche this Friday. I think I should go take in another game and watch the Preds another time.

The Keg Steakhouse – I Deserved a Treat

Last night, I decided to treat myself and went to The Keg Steakhouse and Bar. I can honestly say that I was not disappointed. The service was great. The food was superb. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting. I opted to try the Teriyaki Sirloin… I wish I could find such an amazingly flavorful cut of steak everywhere I go. It’s difficult to describe the flavor, but if you ever find yourself in Denver, you need to head to The Keg Steakhouse and Bar and try the Teriyaki Sirloin. You won’t be disappointed.

In all honesty, I think I will be coming back once more before I move on. I can almost guarantee that.

Nashville, TN -> Denver, CO

Nashville was certainly fun, but I spent quite some time there. I definitely had some fun catching the Predators/Capitals game and checking out the sites like the Land Motor Museum. But it’s time to move on. Next stop; Denver, Colorado.

Getting a chance to explore Nashville has been a lot of fun, though I feel like I just don’t have enough time to enjoy everything there is to see here. The Lane Motor Museum and the Bridgestone Arena (for a Predators game) were definitely the highlights of this trip, though.

Lane Motor Museum – Just puttering around the city…

If you’ve ever been interested in cars and history, then you should check out the Lane Motor Museum. There is a lot of really cool stuff here. I saw a handful of cars I never had a clue even existed. Some of them, I even questioned how they would function in a real world setting. Then again, many of the cars are from the 50s and earlier, so the technology wasn’t all there, yet. Many of the cars just look like they were trying to get something new and different out regardless of anything else.

Certainly interesting.

Bridgestone Arena – Caught a Preds/Caps game

I’m a sports fan, and if I can sneak in a game in a city I am visiting, all the better. Honestly, I’m not a fan of either Nashville or Washington, but getting a chance to see a new arena is always a fun experience. There really isn’t much that separates Bridgestone Arena from all of the other arenas in the country. It serves it purpose, and considering the Preds are doing well this season, the place was packed.

The biggest downside is that the tickets were so expensive. I would have thought in a smaller hockey market that the tickets would have been cheaper. Unfortunately, between a ticket, food, and a few beers, I spent over $100. I expect that in Boston, New York, or Chicago, but not in Nashville. Either way, it was still a good time.

And when in Rome… Had to root for the home team, but it was a close game with the Preds eking out a win over the Caps, 4-3.

Knoxville, TN -> Nashville, TN

I apologize for not having posted anything about Knoxville. I was really just running around the whole time and never had a chance to sit down and relax. Hopefully my next stop, Nashville, TN will afford me a little more time. Rather than grab a short flight, I decided to rent a car and take the scenic route there. If I see anything of extraordinary worth of mentioning, I’ll be sure to let you know. Otherwise, stay tuned for what fun things I find in Nashville.

Salt Lake City, UT -> Knoxville, TN

Now that the holidays are past, I’m on my way to Knoxville, TN for my next job. I’ve driven through Tennessee once before, but I’ve never actually visited. I think it’s certainly going to be interesting to say the least. My goal is to make sure I get a chance to see the Sunsphere atthe Wrold’s Fair Park. I’m looking to check out the observation deck and maybe even eat in the restaurant inside. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Boston, Massachusetts -> Salt Lake City, Utah

My time in Massachusetts was certainly fun. I visited Plymouth and Concord and can honestly say that I’ll be back in the future. I do, however, have to head home for a few weeks. I miss my dogs. I’ll be back soon during my next trip!

I’ve started my consulting with a small business in Concord, MA. This is certainly another wonderfully historic town in the state of Massachusetts. I love the architecture around these small towns. Everything looks so much different than back home in Utah.

Liberty Ride – Lexington and Concord Tour

Once again, I think I’ve made a poor choice to visit in December (despite that it’s business that brings me here). There is absolutely a lot of history in the this town, and I’ve spent some time asking around and searching online for some form of guided tour. I found in my searches and was directed to The Liberty Ride for a quick tour of Lexington and Concord. Unfortunately, they don’t tour after October. I’d love to take this tour, and it’s looking like I need to start being smarter of where I go and when.

ATA Cycle – Bike Fitting Pros

While on my own tour, I happened across a bike shop. Back home, I tend to spend some time riding through the mountains to try and stay in shape. So when I come across a bike shop, I have to check in. ATA Cycle is a bicycle boutique in Concord. I ended up speaking to the owner, a man named Husam, and he showed me what makes his shop so special. ATA cycle is home to a bike fitting process I’ve never seen before.

Talking to him, he made it apparent that it may be one of the most accurate bike fitting systems ever put together. There’s a lot to explain, and honestly, I’m not sure I fully understand all of it. What it comes down to is that their process allows them to offer specialized bikes that fit you better than any other custom bike fitting service can ever do.

You don’t have to take my word for it. If you are ever in the area or are looking for a new bike or just want to see this amazing process, head down to ATA Cycle and ask for Husam. He will be more than happy to help you.

Plymouth Rock – It’s a Rock!

Well. I don’t really know what I actually expected. It’s really just a rock. It’s a rock that you are not able to really get near. I still enjoyed looking at Plymouth Rock. The history, however, is vastly more interesting than the sight.

On the positive side, though, I got to spend some time in the town of Plymouth, MA. This town certainly seems to have that quaint historic feel. Walking down Main St., there is definitely a feel of a small town.

East Bay Grille – Food on the Water… When It’s Warmer

I certainly wish it was a little warmer (or a lot warmer, actually). I decided to stop in and have lunch in a nice restaurant, the East Bay Grille. The food was fantastic, though a bit pricey. But I feel that’s the price you pay for fine dining on the waterfront.

The hostess and the waitress I dealt with were both extremely pleasant. Those two alone would make the trip worth it.

They also had an outdoor bar which was, unfortunately, not open. Perhaps that’s a good thing considering how cold it was, but I’m sure during the summer, that place is packed.

Sam Diego’s – Two Floors of Mexican Food and Fun

The night life was almost non-existent. That could be because it was a Monday night in December. I ended up at another restaurant for the night. Sam Diego’s is a Mexican-food restaurant, but what brought me in was that it seemed to be the only “hot spot” in town for the night. Lucky me, I just happened to be in town for karaoke night. It was certainly interesting, but what more can you ask for from a small town. It was a good night, and I think I’m going to try to make some plans to come back in the summer.

I’ve been told that Plymouth is a happening town in the warmer weather. I was also told to head south a little and hit up Cape Cod when it gets warmer. I think my travel plans may have been made for me.

Chicago, Illinois -> Boston, Massachusetts

I’m leaving the city of Chicago, and I’ll soon be in the wonderful city of Boston. I’m going from frigid cold to… frigid cold. I’m certainly well adjusted to the cold, though.

While in Boston, I’m going to have a lot of free time. I planned this trip to help out two businesses and give myself some free time to check out all of the sites in the area. I hope to check out some the historic sites around the city and even make my way down to Plymouth, MA to see Plymouth Rock.

When I have some time, I’m going to start writing about my exploits around the city of Boston. For now, though, it’s off to the airport. Talk to you soon!

Hello readers! My name is John Hawkins, but my friends call me Blake. You may, as well.

I wanted to get a quick little hello out and let you know that I am going to be chronicling my adventures around the country for you to enjoy. I’m not really sure what the format is going to be, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out as I go.

Currently, I live in Salt Lake City, but with my job, I am running around the country, so I’m rarely at home. As I’m writing this, I am enjoying life in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago is a beautiful city. I love everything about it. I had a free day yesterday and took a walk from my hotel down to the Shedd Aquarium. I believe I heard that it was one of the largest aquariums in the country, and I can certainly understand why. The place is huge. They have tons of exhibits. I literally spent hours just walking around that place in complete awe.

If you’ve never been to Shedd Aquarium or even to Chicago, I highly recommend you check it out.